The Misericordia University men's basketball season came to an end with a 69-62 loss at Stevens in the first round of the MAC Freedom Championships, Monday.

Kevin Lazdowsky led the Cougars with 22 points while Derek Smith added 16.

Misericordia opened the second half on a 10-2 run to take a 41-33 lead with 16:39 to play.

The Ducks answered with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to take a 44-41 lead.

Smith made two free throws to tie the score, 46-46, with 11:19 remaining, but the Ducks went ahead for good on the next possession.

Stevens stretched its lead to nine on multiple occasions in the closing minutes and the Cougars never got closer than six.

The Cougars felled behind 11-2 in the first three minutes of the game before charging pack to take the lead.

Smith and Nick Hornung made back-to-back three-pointers to get within 11-10.

Smith and Lazdowsky both hit three-pointers to give the Cougars their first lead, 16-14, with 12:22 to play in the first half.

The teams traded baskets over the final 10 minutes of the first half and ended the first half tied, 31-31.